Glasco Norwood of Simpson County, MS

Glascow Norwood lives near Pinola, Mississippi, on a farm. He was born about 1852, was owned during slavery time by John Norwood. He is tall and slender, his black face is partly covered with gray side whiskers and a goatee, until a few years ago he wore long whiskers. He is in excellent health and active. He hears well, has his natural teeth and can see to thread a needle without the aid of glasses. From the Slave Narrative of Glascow Norwood

Ancestors of Glasco Norwood were with slave owner John Norwood and his family when they arrived in Mississippi about 1812 from Darlington County, South Carolina. Glasco’s grandmother Hannah traveled in the wagon to care for John Norwood’s children. Hannah had infant son Glasco with her who became the father of of her grandson Glasco.
(The Norwood Family, Compiled by John and Carroll Bolton, 1999, page 42, MS Dept. of Archives and History.)

John Norwood died in 1862. His will was written in 1858. One of his bequests was as follows: 4th I give and bequeath to my wife Catherine Norwood, all remainder of my personal property, my stock of horses, cattle and hogs, kitchen furniture and the following negroes: EASTER, Minerva, Ned, Tuin, OLD HANNAH, Virginia, Moses, Cudge, Rial, OLD GLASCO, YOUNG GLASCO, and Emily.
(Simpson County Will Book A, page 16, microfilm number 5380, Mississippi Department of Archives and History.)

Easter and both Glasco men are found living together on the 1870 census.

SLAVE OWNER - JOHN NORWOOD

John Norwood of Darlington, South Carolina, moved to Mississippi, about 1812. Around 1815, John settled in what was to become Simpson County. Before leaving South Carolina, John married Catherine Powell where their first children were born. Their move to Mississippi was made by horse and ox-drawn wagons. The Norwood family brought with them the family slaves. (The Norwood Family, Compiled by John and Carroll Bolton, 1999, page 42. MS Dept. of Archives and History.)

John and Catherine were among the prosperous families of Simpson County. On the 1850 Simpson County Slave Schedule Census, John owned 26 slaves. On the 1860 Simpson County federal and slave schedule census, John owned 33 slaves, six slave houses, real estate valued at $8000, and personal property was valued at $36,000.

The Norwood family attended the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Simpson County where John and Catherine were charter members.